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The IFP has welcomed the frank admission by the Gauteng police chief
Mwazndile Petros that one of the biggest drivers of crime in Gauteng was due
to the activities of criminal police officers.

However the IFP questioned the timing of Lt-Gen Petros' comments.

"While we commend the comments made by Lt-Gen Petros we cannot help but
wonder whether his statements should be seen within the context of the new
debate on whether the Hawks should be independent from the SAPS," said Mr
Velaphi Ndlovu MP, the IFP's spokesperson on Police.

Ndlovu said that the figure of 600 officers arrested during the period April
2010 to April 2012 was step in the right direction, but that more can be
done.

"We have always been of the opinion that the SAPS cannot monitor and
scrutinize themselves and it therefore remains imperative that an
independent body monitors the activities of the police. Only then will we be
able to completely rid the SAPS of criminal elements, which in some
instances have become entrenched," concluded Ndlovu MP.